Student Activism Series - Activism vs. Advocacy

Following up on the previous posts: The first installment of Alexia Robinson's series has been posted to in our newly reorganized Black Collegian News & Views section.

Providing an introduction to the series theme, the article "Activism vs. Advocacy" starts things off on personal note, with Alexia's exploration of the difference between the two terms.

She begins: "As this nation witnesses the benchmark anniversaries of the Civil Rights Movement, I can’t help but compare myself and my generation to those people from the 60’s who marched for freedom and justice for all. Does my generation have the courage to sit-in and boycott?"

In confessing that she has never felt herself to be "an activist," she reflects feelings expressed by many contemporary students, for whom studying the almost mythical actions and figures of the Movement (in capitals) may be inspirational, but not always seem immediately, apparently relevant to their own concerns and passions today. She argues that today's students may be equally committed to important social and political issues, but enjoy the benefits of much more complex and advanced media and technological landscape in which to pursue their goals.

Alexia uses as a launchpad one of her own political engagements -- her participation in the Campus Allies program of AIPAC, or the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. While acknowledging that her role advocating support for Israel in U.S. foreign affairs may seem surprising from a certain stereotypical perspective, she finds that the goals of promoting peace and stability in the Middle East are consistent with both the legacy of Dr. King and the Christian faith that have been so important in her life. She observes, however, that AIPAC has provided her with opportunities for international travel and learning, for engaging with policymakers, and for informing her work in journalism that would not have been readily available to "old school" student activists.

Ultimately, she suggests, too few organizations and movements are willing to take "a chance...on young people" and "bank on [their] potential." By providing access to information, political organizations like AIPAC go a long way toward inviting students' interest, commitment and active participation. Knowledge and first-hand experience can be a powerful motivators for today's Black collegians to "get involved," and the rest of Alexia's series will go on to examine other examples of people who are doing just that.